Title

DIETARY HABITS, NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF THIRD-YEAR
PARAMEDICAL STUDENTS

Author(s)

ERIKA S. PADILLA

REMBRANDT ANTHONY B. RECTO

CARMI MARIE D. REGIDOR

MARVIE P. SERINO

DONA GRACE P. VILLANTES

Affiliation

Misamis University

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Contributor

Pepito, Leah T.

Duyag, Merasol O.

Gomez, Grethel A.

Mutia, Maricar M.

Year

2024

Abstract

Students benefit from having healthy dietary habits and strong nutritional status since it promotes growth and development, improves overall cognitive performance, and provides a well-balanced healthy living. The study examined the impact of food habits and nutritional status on paramedical students' academic performance. The study used a quantitative technique with a descriptive correlational design and was done at a university
in the Philippines. Purposive and stratified random sampling were used to choose one hundred forty-seven (147) paramedic students. The study utilized a modified researcher-made questionnaire as means to acquire data and information from respondents. The data was analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation, Frequency and
Percentage, and Pearson’s R Correlation Coefficient. The study yielded the results of having most students being categorized within the normal weight range, but there were still significant portions of students that were classified as underweight and overweight. A considerable proportion of third-year paramedical students demonstrated commendable academic performance. In addition, the study also rendered a result of having a
significant positive relationship between dietary habits and academic performance, whereas there was no significant relationship between the students’ BMI and academic
performance. It is recommended for students to pay more attention to improving dietary choices and maintaining healthy, well-balanced eating habits to help them improve and provide satisfactory academic performance.

Keywords

academic performance, dietary habits, nutritional status, paramedical student